Mary M. Kautz was born on August 15, 1929 in Grenville, South Dakota to parents Bernard and Piligia (Pionk) Lesnar, the ninth of 13 children. She attended Catholic School for 12 years and then went to summer college. She then taught Country School for two years close to Roslyn, South Dakota. She worked at Walgreens and advanced to Cosmetologist and retired at age 60 from Cosmetology.

Mary met Leo M. Kautz in 1952 while he was home on leave from the Navy. She went to California for one year to be closer to Leo. They were united in marriage on September 26, 1955 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grenville, South Dakota. To this union two children were born, Debbie in 1956 and Mike in 1959. The family moved to New Hope, Minnesota in 1969 and lived there for two years before purchasing and living in a home in Golden Valley for 22 years. In 1993 they bought a lake home on Lake Amelia in Glenwood, Minnesota and moved to Lindstrom, Minnesota in 2004. In July of 2015, Mary entered the Margaret S. Parmly Residence in Chisago City, Minnesota.

She is survived by her husband Leo; children Debbie Hamer and Mike (Kerri) Kautz; grandchildren Breanna (Alex) Kruse, Angie (Brady) Olson, Nicole Hamer, and Ashley Hamer; great grandchildren Haven and Leighton; sisters Artalda Stegora and Stephanie Flemming; brother James (Kathy) Lesnar; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m. Saturday, February 17, 2018 at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Lindstrom with visitation one hour prior to the Mass at Church. A private family interment will be held at a later date. Condolences may be expressed online at www.grandstrand fh.com